OUR LATEST ISSUE
SITE SEARCH
24 hours in Chicago
By: Matt Newbury
Chicago
Chicago
Where better to spend a whirl-wind stopover than the stunning windy city of Chicago?
"the magnificence of the world's tallest skyline ahead"
MORNING: Grant Park/Millennium Park
Enjoy a stroll along the Lake Shore and into Grant Park, where Barack Obama gave his emotional victory speech. This makes a wonderful way to get a feel for the city, with the beauty of the vast Lake Michigan (which is actually larger than the country of Croatia) on your right and the magnificence of the world’s tallest skyline ahead. Continue your walk past the charming Clarence Buckingham Fountain and into the new Millennium Park, which boasts an outdoor music pavilion, an ice rink and a theatre.
NEED TO KNOW
Millennium Park is home to the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture, which the locals have affectionately dubbed “The Bean.” The fun house mirror effects make it the perfect place for multiple photo opportunities.
Art Institute Of Chicago
While in Grant Park, Don’t miss a visit to the Art Institute of Chicago. It’s where Cameron stares at George Seurat’s A Sunday On La Grand Jatte in the iconic scene in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. All good homosexuals will also know that the painting is also the inspiration for Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George. Another highlight is the frequently parodied American Gothic (think the Rocky Horror Picture Show).
NEED TO KNOW
Should you be fortunate to be in the city on a Thursday, admission is free from 5pm – 8pm.
AFTERNOON: Architecture River Cruise
Without doubt, the top tip for any visit to the city is a 90 minute architecture river cruise, from the unique perspective of the Chicago River. The Chicago Architecture Foundation will give you the scoop on more than 50 architecturally stunning structures that have sprung up since the Great Fire of 1971. Taking in everything from spectacular Art Deco to Chicago Modernism, the fascinating tour will leave you with a packed memory card on your digital camera as well as a sore neck!
NEED TO KNOW
The tours leave every half hour in the summer and fall season, with snacks and rather quaffable cocktails available on board.
Sears Tower Skydeck
The world's first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building, was built in Chicago in 1885. Of course, Chicago is also home to the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere, the Sears Tower. The skydeck offers a 360-degree view of the city from the 103rd floor, just don’t attempt to lean against the glass Ferris Bueller style, as security really don’t like it. A very tall building is also obviously the best place to see a city if you are only there for a limited time, and you will be able to pinpoint all the best sites, including the Water Tower, Wrigley Field (home of the Chicago Cubs), Millennium Park, Navy Pier, the other skyscrapers and the vast expanse of Lake Michigan.
NEED TO KNOW
The perfect time to visit is late afternoon, so you can enjoy the sunset followed by the breathtaking view of the sparkling city lights. So visit after 6pm for a more exclusive and romantic experience.
EVENING: Boystown
While Chicago has a wonderful theatre scene and is of course Blues HQ, if you are looking for a gay night out, head over to Lakeview, otherwise known as “Boystown”. The colourful and eclectic gay quarter features fine restaurants, outdoor cafes, vintage clothing, high fashion and several blocks of ranging from classic Chicago pubs to sultry lounges and from hard-core leather joints to booming high energy dance clubs.
NEED TO KNOW
Pride celebrations take place at the end of June annually, with around 400,000 spectators watching the colourful parade through the neighbourhood. Halsted Street Market Days take place in August, with the roads closed for two days of music, dancing and food.
Anderson
Andersonville, an old Swedish neighbourhood has developed into a low-key, but popular lesbian hangout. The Bohemian area is the home to coffee houses, a sleek LGBT gym, women’s bookstores, art galleries, ethnic eateries, swank wine bars and friendly dance clubs.
NEED TO KNOW
Pick up one of the gay magazines like Pink Magazine, Gay Chicago Magazine or Boi Magazine to see what is happening during your stay.
EATING
Chicago is the "Pizza Capital of the World," with the deep dish pie style pizza invented by Ike Sewell at Uno Pizzeria way back in 1943. He turned what was a lunchtime snack into a hearty meal and the rest is lip-smacking history. The bar area of Uno's restaurants are reminiscent of Chicago's famous speakeasies, perfect for fulfilling your gangster fantasies, while the pizzas are a taste orgasm. Save some space for a Deep Dish Sundae though. The gooey homage to the signature pizza features an oversized chocolate-chip cookie baked and served in a deep pan and topped with ice cream, whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. It’s probably safe to die and go to heaven there and then.
IS THE WINDY CITY WINDY?
There are three possible explanations to why Chicago is knows as the Windy City. The common assumption is that it refers to the winds gushing through the city, which being on a lakeside is a distinct possibility. The second is that it refers to the locals boasting to the rest of America about the glories of their rebuilt city after the Great Fire. However, I prefer the third – that it refers to the hot air that Chicago politicians are said to be full of.
